Image this: you’re on a hike, bushwalk or different journey, maintaining a superb tempo. It’s a heat day, and also you attain in your hydration hose. Sucking in a mouthful of water you style a cool, not-quite-right flavour that screams, “Hey, you’ve been cleansing your sleeping bag greater than your hydration bladder!” To be sincere, I’m not good and guilted myself into penning this information as a result of I simply checked out my chunk valve and it was like wanting into Dante’s sixth cycle of hell, HERESY!
Let’s dive into the straightforward steps to completely clear your hydration bladder (whether or not it’s a Platypus, Supply, CamelBak, or my favorite that I’ve been utilizing for 8 years, Hydrapack, that are top-shelf dishwasher protected and might flip inside-out like a sock) and maintain your water tasting as crisp as that creek you simply crossed.
Why Cleansing Your Hydration Bladder Issues
That moist (there’s that phrase), dank atmosphere inside your hydration reservoir is the right breeding floor for mould, micro organism, and biofilm—that slimy stuff that builds up over time (hmmm, tasty!). Not solely can this make your water style like a fish milkshake within the solar, but it surely might doubtlessly make you sick, which is the very last thing you need once you’re nonetheless hours away from civilisation.
Fast Cleansing After Every Journey
One of the best upkeep behavior is giving your bladder a fast clear after each hike. Right here’s how I do mine:
- Empty any remaining water fully from all elements (bladder, hose and chunk valve)
- Add it to my washing up pile on the kitchen sink and wash with heat (not sizzling) water
- Suck it as much as get the soapy water by the hose
- Rinse with heat water
- Hold it the wrong way up with the opening on the backside and a cardboard tube inside to maintain it open (see image)
- Impersonate a cowgirl by holding the hose by the chunk valve and swinging it round to push extra water out (be careful you don’t hit something or anybody!)
- Depart it to dry fully earlier than storing
That straightforward routine will stop most points, however each few adventures (and particularly after an extended multi-day journey), you’ll need to do a deeper clear.
Deep Cleansing Your Hydration Bladder
What You’ll Want
Step-by-Step Cleansing Course of
1. Disassemble The whole lot
Take aside all elements—take away the tube, chunk valve, and every other removable elements. Many valves have small elements that may be separated for thorough cleansing.
2. Preliminary Rinse
Flush your complete system with heat water to take away any unfastened particles.
3. Soapy Wash
Add a number of drops of dishwashing liquid and about two tablespoons of baking soda to heat water. Fill your bladder about midway, then seal it up and provides it a superb shake. The baking soda helps neutralise odours whereas the cleaning soap breaks down residue.
4. Scrub Time
Use a mushy bottle brush to softly scrub the within partitions of the bladder. Pay particular consideration to corners and seams the place gunk goes to die.
For the consuming tube, both use a specialised tube brush or fill the tube together with your cleansing answer and pinch each ends, then work the answer by by gently bending and squeezing the tube.
5. Deal with the Chunk Valve
The chunk valve deserves additional consideration because it’s the place your mouth contacts the system and is the place my heresy lives. Soak it in your cleansing answer, then use a small brush (a clear toothbrush works effectively) to scrub all of the nooks and crannies.
6. Vinegar Rinse
For cussed tastes or smells, create an answer with one half white vinegar to 4 elements water. Fill the bladder and let it sit for about 20 minutes. The gentle acid in vinegar is great for killing micro organism and neutralising odours.
7. Last Rinse
Completely rinse all the things with clear water a number of instances till all cleaning soap and vinegar smells are gone.
8. Correct Drying – The Most Crucial Step!
That is the place most individuals fall brief. Correct drying prevents mould progress:
- Hold your bladder the wrong way up with the opening on the backside
- Use a cardboard tube inside to maintain it open (see image)
- Place paper towels inside to soak up extra moisture
- Maintain the tube hanging straight down (I take advantage of a curtain hook with clip from Ikea. Bunnings or Highlight have comparable ones too)
- Impersonate a cowgirl by holding the hose at one finish and swinging it round to push extra water out (be careful you don’t hit something or anybody!)
- Retailer in a cool, dry place out of direct daylight
- Enable 24-48 hours for full drying
Coping with Cussed Mould or Odours
For those who’ve uncared for your bladder and found mould (we’ve all been there!), don’t panic:
- Create an answer with two tablespoons of baking soda and 500ml of water
- Fill the bladder and let it soak in a single day
- Within the morning, add 1 / 4 cup of white vinegar and let the fizzing motion work for about 5 minutes
- Rinse completely and comply with the cleansing steps above
For persistent issues, attempt denture cleansing tablets (like Polident or Steradent)—they’re good for breaking down buildup!
Storing Your Hydration Bladder Between Hikes
After guaranteeing all the things is totally dry:
- Some people swear by maintaining the bladder of their freezer to forestall bacterial progress (I’ve by no means had to do that)
- Alternatively, retailer it with a clear paper towel (or that cardboard tube) inside to maintain the partitions from sticking collectively
- Maintain it open for airflow
How Typically Ought to You Exchange Your Hydration Bladder?
Even with correct care, most bladders ought to be changed each 2-3 years relying on how typically you utilize them, particularly if Dante can be proud. Search for indicators like:
- Persistent unhealthy style or odour regardless of cleansing
- Seen mould that gained’t clear off
- Cracks or leaks
- Chunk valve deterioration the place the silicon is perishing
Can You Put A Hydration Reservoir In A Dishwasher?
Some manufacturers, like my HydraPak are top-shelf dishwasher protected. Most different manufacturers suggest hand washing.
Last Ideas
A clear hydration bladder is could make an enormous distinction in your out of doors expertise. Don’t gross your self out (like I did) by leaving it too lengthy.
And bear in mind, staying hydrated on the monitor is essential for security and delight—so ensure that what you’re consuming is as recent because the air round you and will your water all the time style nearly as good as these summit views look!
